Walther goes for the ladies; new PDP F-Series.

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Trey Veston

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Got an email from Walther the other day saying that they introduced a new model exclusively for female shooters...

https://waltherarms.com/pdp-f-series-3-5/?utm_source=walther&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=april29

"The same engineering passion, precision workmanship and innovation that made Walther’s PDP a groundbreaking achievement in firearms is now tailored specifically to Female shooters with the PDP F-Series pistol. The new F-Series elevates the next evolution in world class ingenuity for pistols to meet the demands of female shooters like never seen before. Accounting for precise structural differences, Walther has completely reengineered the ergonomics of the grip to be designed for the exact biomechanics of women’s hands. Featuring a new patented operating system resulting in a reduction in slide rack force paired with all the performance duty features of the PDP, the F-Series pistol is the elite choice for all women. Put Walther’s timeless legacy of unmatched performance in your hand today, because whether you are with your family or on your own – it is your duty to be READY!"

leftsidefseries3.5_clipped_rev_1.png

"Reduced Circumference Grip – Designed from the ground up to fit the contour of a woman’s hand, the F-Series grip is smaller where it needs to be giving the shooter maximum control and faster follow-up shots.

Reduced Trigger Reach – Introducing the F-Series Reduced Trigger Reach, achieving superb trigger control has never been easier. The F-Series trigger has been moved to a location where any hand can find the perfect trigger finger placement. Proper trigger finger placement is a key to accurate shooting and trigger control. You will feel the difference the moment you pick it up.

Reduced Slide Force – Walther has developed a brand new operating system that results in an unprecedented 20% reduction in slide Racking Force. Utilizing a two-piece striker, all shooters will be able to experience the performance of the PDP with an intuitive slide rack that is as natural as it is durable. The Reduced Slide Force is the next step in exceeding expectations for shooters who know what it takes to stay Ready.

OVER A CENTURY OF ENGINEERING PASSION & PRECISION WORKMANSHIP SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR A WOMAN’S HAND. For female shooters who simply will not sacrifice on unmatched versatility, dependability, and effectiveness in both concealed carry and conventional service situations, the Walther PDP F-Series is how you stay READY."

Nice to see another firearms company coming out with models easier to manipulate for women and the elderly.
 
I applaud the ergonomic modifications, but the gun is still as pleasing to the eye as a tractor tire. Once upon a time, Walther, Remington and Colt made sleek and unobtrusive handguns. Apparently aesthetics do not fit within the tactical universe. Pity.

Yes, tacticalicity indeed - doesn't go well with the shemagh, beard, and tats.

It does look "cleaner" than its prececessors, I'll give them that - it's actually leaning towards the minimalist side (for Walther, anyway).

For wimmen?

Heck, I may get one mesself if I like it.
 
I think it's great that Walther has designed a pistol specifically for women. It really makes sense since they did lead the pack as far as ergonomics go. I think a lot of men with smaller stature and/or small hands may really like this one too (if they can get past the "girl gun" thing).
 
Why exclusively for women, seems like a lighter slide racking would be good for all.

I agree, why not the PDP S (slim). Wait until the woke mob finds about this and unleashes their wrath on Walther LOL.

Glad there are more options but I doubt it is that slim still being a double stack. Walther really needs to come out with an update to the PPS like Smith and Wesson did with the Shield Plus. My wife even found the Shield Plus not to her liking though because of the trigger reach. She loves her 9MM EZ Shield Performance Center though and the SIG P365XL she liked a loot too when shooting various pistols to find out what worked for her best.
 
"Women specific design" as with bikes is all about ergos for shorter torsos, smaller hands, and of course marketing. Humans come in all sorts of configurations, and no one should be put off by ad-speak. If it is easier to use well, it's a good thing!
True, a lot of guys like their Ladysmith revolvers, regardless of the name.
 
But there was also a series of similar Smiths with NLS designation.
Everybody thought it meant Not Lady Smith although the company said it didn't.
 
Does anyone know if it's possible to swap slides between PPQ and PDP? I'd be interested in throwing a top end of Q5 on the frame of PDP F-series. Of course the retraction force won't be lighter.
 
Does anyone know if it's possible to swap slides between PPQ and PDP? I'd be interested in throwing a top end of Q5 on the frame of PDP F-series. Of course the retraction force won't be lighter.

Per Walther, it is supposed to be possible. I’d like to do the opposite, drop a PDP slide on a PPQ M1 frame.
 
For some reason I seem to have a few girls that I am.....ahh....teaching stuff to at the moment, and the wife even approves. ;)

Story time:

Sons girlfriend/wife to be has started shooting, and has not found a 9mm that she finds comfortable to shoot....too much kick. He (the boy) got her an LCP and she just hates this thing, far too much kick. We shot everything from 45acp down to 22 rimfire. She actually liked the 1911 in 45 much better over the LCP. Thinking it is just the greater mass. Saying liked it better is not saying much. The 25 too small, a 380 also too snappy. But a 586 with 38spl in it was enjoyable, and fun to shoot.

There is the thought from MEN that....well you are going to shoot this if your life depends on it, that kick will really not be a thing....well yea, however you do need to practice with it, and if you are building in that fear of the recoil, that is going to be in the back of your brain.....you need to practice with what you are going to use, and the women I know just flat refuse to shoot something they find painful. And yes painful is the correct word, correct hold, good grip, all that basic stuff, and they just hate it. Despite what you hear in the media the female and male are different and the female is really just not wired that way. Think of it this way you are not going to use a 50bmg pistol for your self defense even if it is small enough for you, the recoil will make it just not do able, many females are the same way.

Two of the girls are at two different ends of the scale, the boys fiancee is a itty bitty little thing, about 5'8" and skinny as all get out, bet she weighs 100lbs soaking wet with rocks in her pockets and is 24 yrs old. The other girl is my age, 57, a bigger girl but not fat, just thicker, and I would bet again about 5'8" but I would guess about 160-180. Exact same reaction across the board.

The other thing is many of these women just do not have the interest, desire or will to LEARN the gun, all of them across the board that are looking to the gun as protection, the boys girl she works in the medical area and sometimes goes to some iffy areas, she wants something to carry. The older girl is afraid of a crazy coming into her house, and it is a real possibility without going into any specifics....she wants something on the night stand.

I see our job as "gun nutz" to try to fit the correct bit of equipment to their comfort and experience level. I see it as our job to talk about the pluses and minus sides of purse carry (not a fan) vs body carry. I always ask the question what does a bad guy take from you first, likely your purse. If someone grabs you and tosses you in a trunk do you think you are going to have your purse on you. These kind of questions they have just not thought about, but we people in the gun and SD world do. You have to get the idea out of their head that if you point a gun at someone they will always run away, you have to be ready to take a life, some just can't get past that.....if you can't pull the trigger for whatever reason don't go down this road. It is not to scare someone off it is to kill them. Sure it might scare someone off, these people are generally cowards, but just as often they are wired on who knows what and you need to mess up your carpet.

To cut this short for carry with women just starting this I always suggest a revolver, the kick is going to be more but not having to worry about a click no bang and what to do next when that naked guy is coming after you....well that is not the time to learn clearing drills, with a revolver you just keep pulling the trigger.

In the house a pump 20 is the same thing, keep one ready to go so you just click off a safety and bang, don't buy into that "racking the shotgun will scare someone away" if they are in your house, defend your loved ones, draw that line and if the guy crosses it pull the trigger and pump. I have suggested autos for shotguns, and feel the dangers of a weak hold on the gun and a short cycle, or something getting in the way of the slide and messing with function are smaller.

And come out and shoot them at least once a month, my door is always open.
 
Wife has been talking about the PDP, so I just showed her this. She says it's probably her next gun. I'm not much of a Walther fan, even with her Q5 Match. I just don't shoot them well.
 
I find, in agreeableness with @Remington1911 that many women, and even some men fall into the category of "just want something", and honestly, I find a steel framed revolver in .38 Spl is often the better recommendation.
 
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